Black Pine Animal Sanctuary facts for kids
| Date opened | 1994 |
|---|---|
| Location | Albion, Indiana, United States |
| Land area | 18-acre (7.3 ha) |
| No. of animals | 75–100 |
| No. of species | 40–50 |
| Annual visitors | 19,000 |
The Black Pine Animal Sanctuary is a special place for animals in Albion, Indiana, United States. It's like a forever home for exotic animals that need a safe place to live. The sanctuary covers about 18 acres of land.
This sanctuary gives a permanent home to exotic animals. These animals might have been kept as "pets" or retired from performing. Usually, between 75 and 100 animals live here. They represent about 50 to 60 different kinds of animals. Some of these animals are even endangered.
Black Pine Animal Sanctuary also teaches people about animals. They offer guided tours and school trips. You can see the animals in habitats that look like their natural homes. Visitors can watch the animals from behind safe barriers, just like at a regular zoo. The sanctuary started as a private zoo. But in 2006, it became a non-profit sanctuary. This means they don't buy, sell, or breed animals. They just give them a safe home for life.
Contents
What is the History of Black Pine?
The Black Pine Animal Sanctuary started in 1994. It was first known as Black Pine Exotics. Later, it was called Black Pine Animal Park. In the beginning, they offered educational programs. Local schools would visit to learn about the animals. In the mid-1990s, they added a gift shop. They also started regular tours for the public during summer.
How Did the Sanctuary Grow?
In 1998, Black Pine launched its first website. After that, more and more visitors came. By 2004, over 17,000 people visited the sanctuary. They came from all over the U.S. and other countries. In 2003, the sanctuary changed how it operated. It became a non-profit organization. This means it's a charity that helps animals.
Moving to a New Home
In December 2006, the sanctuary moved to its current location. A group of volunteers helps manage the sanctuary. There is also a paid staff. This includes an executive director, a facilities manager, and animal keepers. Interns and other volunteers also help a lot.
Why the Name Change?
In April 2010, the sanctuary officially changed its name. It went from Black Pine Animal Park to Black Pine Animal Sanctuary. This new name better shows their mission. They do not buy, sell, or breed animals. They focus on giving animals a safe, permanent home.
What Animals Live at Black Pine?
When you visit the sanctuary, you can take a walking tour. You will explore different areas where animals live. These areas include places for grazing animals and a primate house. There are also homes for tigers and bears. You can also find a reptile house and an aviary for birds.
Who Are Some of the Residents?
Many different animals call Black Pine home. You might see donkeys, pot-belly pigs, and rheas. There are also emus and fallow deer. The sanctuary has many primates like macaques and spider monkeys. You can also find galagos, kinkajous, and cotton-top tamarins.
Other residents include alligators, tortoises, and various snakes and lizards. Big cats like tigers, leopards, lions, and cougars live there. Smaller wild cats like bobcats and servals also have homes. You might also spot foxes, wolves, and black bears. Colorful birds like macaws and cockatoos also live at Black Pine.
